Knotter for a grain harvester and binder.



PATENTED AUG. 8

I. B. MoBLROY. KNOTTER FOR A GRAIN HARVBSTER AND BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED KAY 28, 1904.

Witnesses I mount. 1 mum! co.. Paomurmlumns. msmmrom n c ISAAC ERWINMOELROY, OF MUSOATINE, IOWA.

KNOTTER FOR A GRAIN HARVESTER AND BINDER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 8, 1905.

Application filed May 28, 190% Serial No. 210,287.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC ERWIN MoELRoY, a citizen of the United States,residing at M uscatine, in the county of Muscatine and State of Iowa,have invented a new and useful Knotter for Grain-Binders, of which thefollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in the knotter proper, whichacting reciprocally with other parts of the knotting mechanism performsthe function of tying the knot in the band or string which is placedaround the bundle or sheaf of grain. Knotters of this class usuallycomprise a rotary spindle provided at one end with two lateral jaws, oneof which is movable to and from the other, so that when the device isrotated against the cord the latter will be wound around the jaws in theform of a loop and the ends will be grasped between them and drawnthrough the loop as it slides over these ends in discharge from theknotter. As commonly constructed, these jaws or bills are oftentimescombined with'a spring to hold the movable jaw closed.

Among the objects of the invention are to secure a positive action, toavoid bow-knots, to provide a knotter which will be unaffected by theditference in the sizeof twine used, to produce a knotter practical inits operation and not easily broken or worn out, and to lessen thenecessity of or to obviate the necessity of having a closing-spring.

WVith these and other ends in view the invention consists in the.improved construction and novel arrangement and combination of parts,which will be hereinafter fully described, and particularly pointed outin the claim.

In the accompanying drawings has been illustrated a simple and preferredform of embodiment of the invention, it being, how

ever, understood that no limitation is necessarily made to the precisestructural details therein exhibited, but that the right is reserved toany changes, alterations, and modifications to which recourse may be hadwithin the scope of the invention and without departing from the spiritor sacrificing the efliciency of the same.

In said drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the knotter removedfrom the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section. Fig. 3 is an end viewshowing the knotter with the movable jaw detached. Fig. 4 is a top planview with the movable jaw detached.

Fig. 5 is a side view showing the knotter with the twine in positionready to start turning. Fig. 6 is a side view showing the knotterhalfway turned. Fig. 7 is a view showing the knotter a little overthree-fourths turned and with the movable jaw open to receive the endsof the twine. Fig. 8 shows the movable jaw closed upon the ends of thetwine. Fig. 9 is an end view showing the knotter at the moment when theknot leaves it. i

Corresponding parts in the several figures are indicated by likecharacters of reference.

1 designates the rotary spindle, which carries the knotter. 2 is thelower stationary .jaw, which extends substantially at right angles fromthe end of the spindle. Said jaw is curved longitudinally, as will beclearly seen in Fig. 1, and it is also slightly curved transversely, aswill be best seen by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings, and it isprovided in its upper side with a longitudinal groove or cavity 3,extending through the entire length thereof, one of the side walls 4 ofsaid groove merging with the base of the jaw at a short distance fromthe point of the latter, while the other side wall 5 is extended to theextreme point of the jaw. This construction will be-clearly seen in Fig.4E. The jaw 2 is provided at some distance from the point thereof withan aperture-6, which is disposed adjacent to the side wall 5. The baseof the jaw 2, or the portion of said jaw which is joined to the spindle,is provided with a slot 7, in which is pivotally mounted the movable jaw8, which has a rearward extension provided with an ant-ifriction-roller9. This construction is common in devices of this class, the roller 9being for engagement with a stationary cam, whereby the movable jaw ismoved to an open position; but inasmuch as this mechanism is no part ofthe invention it has been omitted from the drawings.

The movable jaw is of much less width than the groove 3 upon thestationary jaw, and its normal position when closed is adjacent to theside wall 5, which extends to the point of the jaw 2, as above stated.The said movable jaw is provided on its under side with a lug orshoulder 10, adapted to enter into the aperture l. Said movable jaw,while its under side is of a contour approximating the contour of theopposing face of the stationary jaw, is not intended to close tightlyagainst the latter, the only point of actual contact being at the pointsof the re spective jaws which extend beyond the aperture 6 and the lug10, respectively. Thus while the jaws when closed together upon the endsof the twine will hold the latter with a suificient degree of tenacitythey will not grasp it so tightly as to prevent the knot from beingreadily stripped at the proper time after it has been formed.

It will be particularly observed that while the ends of the twine willbe kept tightly between the jaws, and especially between the movable jawand the adjacent wall 5 of the stationary jaw, there will beconsiderable play or open space between the movable jaw and the wall 4:,which terminates at a distance from the extremity of the jaw 2. Owing tothis peculiar construction and conformation of the parts, the strippingof the knot will be greatly facilitated. Another advantage gained bythis peculiar construction is that the jaws of the knotter will operatewith equal facility and certainty upon twine of various dimensions.

It will be seen that in this improved knotter dependence is placed forthe retention of the ends of the twine upon the drawing of the-loopabout the jaws. This will hold the jaws firmly enough to prevent therelease of the twine by accident; but since the surfaces between whichthe ends of the twineare held are quite smooth, the stationary jaw beinghollowed in aregular curve, the device will not hold the twine ends sofirmly as to prevent their yielding sufiiciently to permit the knot topass freely over the end of the tier, as would be the case if the cavityin the stationary jaw were made narrow to fit the movable jaw.

By placing the movable jaw adjacent to the side wall 5 which is nearestto the side at which the cord or twine enters from the bundle sufficientroom is provided for the ends of the twine to double down between themovable jaw and the flange or side wall 4 of the rigid jaw in order thatthe loop may slide over the twine ends with little or no resistance.

The improved knotter is mounted in the ordinary manner and operated inconjunction with the ordinary and well-known mechanisms of the usualtwine holding and cutting devices. The knotter in operation makespractically an entire revolution, causing the twine to be twisted intheform of a loop around the two jaws. At or near the end of the revolution the movable jaw is opened, the ends of the twine are laid betweenthe two jaws, and the pivoted jaw is permitted to close, the successivestages of the operation being shownin Figs. 5. 6, 7, 8, and 9. The partsbeing in the final position the twine is strained in the direction ofthe point of the knotter by the action of parts tending to discharge thebundle, or it may be subjected to the action of an ordinary strippingdevice or otherwise urged toward the outer end of the knotter. The loopencircling the jaws and retaining them in a closed position passes offthe ends of the jaws, the ends of the twine being meanwhile retainedbetween the jaws and drawn with a positive action through the loop, sothat the knot is completed in the ordinary manner.

Having thus described the invention, what.

is claimed is In a knot-tying device,a spindle mounted for rotation andcarrying a stationary jaw and a movable jaw adapted to close together;said stationary jaw being curved longitudinally and transversely andprovided at a distance from its extremity with an aperture and alsoprovided with a longitudinally-disposed wide groove or cavity, one ofthe side walls of which terminates ata distance from the point of thejaw and merges with the latter; and said movable jaw being provided witha lug adapted to engage the aperturein the stationary jaw.

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

ISAAC ERWIN MGELROY.

Witnesses:

P. R. BAKER, I-IARRY DALBARHIDE.

